A new chairman has been appointed at Nuneaton Town FC - in a move which also secures ownership of the club’s stadium.

Lee Thorn, a 43-year-old businessman and former director of Kettering Town, has become an equal shareholder of Boro Leisure, the company that owns the football club.

He has also joined forces with chief executive Ian Neale to buy the Liberty Way ground, which has been placed in a separate company called Boro Stadium Ltd.

Mr Neale said: “I have made no secret of my desire to bring in new investors to help Nuneaton Town take the next step forward, and I am delighted Lee has joined us.

“His involvement, plus the purchase of the ground, should really help secure the club’s future and keep it moving in the right direction.”

Mr Thorn has previously been connected with Kettering football club and since leaving the armed forces in 1991 has spearheaded several successful road transport companies.

In a statement to Nuneaton Town fans, he said: “The decision for me to become part of the club was an easy one.

“After attending all of the pre-season home games it quickly became very clear that it was a well-run club with a huge potential and ambition, much to the credit of the chief executive for placing the club in a stable and enviable position.

“Beyond the short term, I intend to improve all aspects of the football club, in partnership with supporters, non-playing staff, sponsors and the board of directors. It cannot be done without the effort and goodwill of all involved.

“I do plan to invest time and funds, but have no desire to create a black hole that is dependent on unsustainable shareholder funding.

"Such a model has as best a short term high followed by terrible longer term consequences - a path that none of us want to tread.”

Mr Thorn added: “My pledge is to do everything within my capability, to ensure that when the time eventually comes for me to depart, the football club and community is in a better position than before I joined, with marginal lows along the way.

"I hope and look forward to working with all parties to ensure this pledge is kept.”

Nuneaton Town will lease the ground from Boro Stadium Ltd on a rolling 10 year-and-one-day lease.

The club kicks-off the new Conference season on Saturday, with a home fixture against Eastleigh.